Self-exploration therapeutic assembly and method of use

ABSTRACT

A self-exploration assembly includes a base and a plurality of layers each shaped so that when the plurality of layers are coupled to the base in a first orientation, the plurality of layers together resemble a bulbous shape, and, when the plurality of layers are coupled to the base in a second orientation, the plurality of petals resemble a flower shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Non-provisional Utility application is a Continuation-in-partapplication, which claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Non-provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/187,408, filed on Jul. 20, 2011, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mental health therapy and,more particularly, relates to a manually configurable assembly thatleads a user along a path of self exploration where the assemblysystematically changes shape during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although there are many situations where individuals face mentalbarriers that keep him or her from doing what they should or would liketo be doing or feeling, to date, no therapy has been shown to becompletely effective. Examples of mental barriers include depression,addiction, obsessions, compulsions, mental disorders, and many more.Individuals suffering with one or more of these co-occurring disordersoften feel helpless to overcome them, even though that may be far fromthe truth.

Over the years, therapists have developed many methods for assistingindividuals in realizing that they have the ability to overcome theconditions that are negatively affecting their lives. Many of thesetherapies are focused on encouraging the individual to look at and thinkabout themselves in a way that they have not in the past. Thesetherapies are often referred to as self-exploration therapies.

Several such self-exploration therapies involve systematically inspiringthe individual to contemplate certain aspects of themselves, theirlives, their past, their future, aspects of others individuals, and manytopics. These self-exploration topics are most frequently presented inlist form in, for example, a book. Working through lists is frequentlyfound to be unexciting and does not necessarily provide a goal that theparticipant can visualize. For this reason, many persons areunsuccessful in completing the list.

Numerous self-improvement programs teach a theoretical “onion” concept,where the participant figuratively systematically peels away layers ofthemselves before they can arrive at the root of the issue. However,figuratively performing therapies makes it easy to lose focus and is notas rewarding as physically manipulating an object. Peeling an actualonion, as is well known, is messy and causes eye irritation.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a self-exploration therapeutic assembly thatovercomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of theheretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and thatpresents a physical model of an onion with individual layers that can beremoved to reveal a therapeutic message or exercise and replaced in areverse orientation, whereby when all or several of the petals have beenreversed, the model resembles a flower.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a self-exploration assembly that includesa base and a plurality of petals each shaped so that when the pluralityof petals are coupled to the base in a first orientation, the pluralityof petals together resemble an onion, and, when the plurality of petalsare coupled to the base in a second orientation, the plurality of petalsresemble a flower.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the firstorientation is substantially between a 90 degree and a 180 degreerotation from the second orientation.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of petals comprises a message on at least one surfacethereof.

In accordance with one more feature of the present invention, the baseincludes a plurality of receiving areas, each receiving area shaped toaccept a portion of one of the plurality of petals.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the base includesan upper surface having a first group of the plurality of receivingareas and a side surface having a second group of the plurality ofreceiving areas.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thesecond orientation includes a first group of the plurality of petalscoupled to the first group of the plurality of receiving areas and asecond group of the plurality of petals coupled to the second group ofthe plurality of receiving areas.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a first oneof the receiving areas defines a first longitudinal axis and a secondone of the receiving areas defines a second longitudinal axis, thesecond longitudinal axis being in a different plane than the firstlongitudinal axis.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, theplurality of petals have a first shape when in the first orientation anda second shape different from the first shape when in the secondorientation.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a base defining a plurality of receiving areas and aplurality of petals each having a securing member shaped to couple toone of the plurality of receiving areas and each shaped so that when theplurality of petals are coupled to the base in a first orientation, theplurality of petals together resemble an onion, and, when the pluralityof petals are coupled to the base in a second orientation substantiallyopposite the first orientation, the plurality of petals resemble aflower.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a method of conducting self-discovery, where themethod includes providing a base and a plurality of petals each shapedso that when the plurality of petals are coupled to the base in a firstorientation, the plurality of petals together resemble an onion, and,when the plurality of petals are coupled to the base in a secondorientation, the plurality of petals resemble a flower. The methodfurther includes coupling each of the plurality of petals to the base inthe first orientation, selectively removing a first one of the pluralityof petals from the base, reading a message coupled to the first one ofthe plurality of petals, and coupling the first one of the plurality ofpetals to the base in the second orientation.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, themethod further includes selectively removing a second one of theplurality of petals from the base, reading a message coupled to thesecond one of the plurality of petals; and coupling the second one ofthe plurality of petals to the base in the second orientation.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a self-exploration assembly comprising a plurality oflayers, each shaped so that when the plurality of layers are in a firstorientation, the plurality of layers together are in a closedconfiguration resembling a first shape, and, when the plurality oflayers are in a second orientation, the plurality of layers are in anopen configuration resembling a second shape; and a base, wherein theplurality of layers are coupled to the base so a transition from thefirst orientation to the second orientation is manual.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of layers is comprised of a writable material.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the firstshape is a bulbous shape and the second shape is a flower shape.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the firstshape is an onion shape and the second shape is a flower shape.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a self-exploration assembly comprising a base; and aplurality of movable membranes coupled to the base, each movablemembrane shaped so that when the plurality of movable membranes arecoupled to the base in a first orientation, the plurality of movablemembranes together resemble a bulbous shape, and, when the plurality ofmovable membranes are coupled to the base in a second orientation, theplurality of movable membranes resemble a flower shape; and wherein atransition from the first orientation to the second orientation is onemovable membrane at a time.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a method of conducting self-discovery, the methodcomprising steps of obtaining an assembly comprising a base; and aplurality of movable membranes coupled to the base, each movablemembrane shaped so that when the plurality of movable membranes arecoupled to the base in a first orientation, the plurality of movablemembranes together resemble a bulbous shape, and, when the plurality ofmovable membranes are coupled to the base in a second orientation, theplurality of movable membranes resemble a flower shape; and manuallymoving a first one of the plurality of movable membranes from the firstorientation to the second orientation one movable membrane at a time.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, themethod further includes selectively removing the first one of theplurality of movable membranes from the base; and coupling the first oneof the plurality of movable membranes to the base in the secondorientation.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, themethod further includes manually moving further comprises the step ofrotating the first one of the plurality of movable membranes from thefirst orientation to the second orientation.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, themethod further includes writing a message on a first side of the firstone of the plurality of movable membranes.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a self-exploration therapeutic assembly, it is, nevertheless, notintended to be limited to the details shown because variousmodifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of the portion of the base,e.g., a receiving area, that couples to the petals. The terms “program,”“software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as asequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A“program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include asubroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an objectimplementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, asource code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load libraryand/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system. The term “recognizable shape,” as used herein, isintended to refer to a shape that is non-random and identifiable tomembers of the general population.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a self-exploration therapeuticassembly that resembles an onion, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 1, with a petal separated, in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base of the self-explorationtherapeutic assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of petal with a message attached, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial close-up elevational view of a self-explorationtherapeutic assembly with a display for displaying messages, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 1 with the separated petal of FIG. 2 attached to thebase in a second orientation, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 1 with several petals attached to the base in a secondorientation so that the self-exploration therapeutic assembly resemblesa flower, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for using theself-exploration therapeutic assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational partially-hidden view of a messageconcealed within a self-exploration therapeutic assembly that resemblesan onion, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 9 with a petal moved to a different orientation toexpose the previously-concealed message, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective side view of the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 1 with a user accessing a petal while theself-exploration therapeutic assembly resembles an onion in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of the self-exploration therapeuticassembly of FIG. 11 with the petal in a changed orientation after theuser has turned the petal inside-out in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient self-explorationtherapeutic assembly that resembles a first recognizable shape, e.g., anonion, before its use and a second recognizable shape, e.g., a flower,after its use. Embodiments of the invention provide a base thatremovably secures a plurality of layers/petals that can be individuallyremoved to reveal a therapeutic message or exercise. In addition,embodiments of the invention provide a base that is able to receive thelayers/petals in an orientation that is substantially opposite fromtheir original orientation within the base, whereby the reverseorientation of the layers/petals causes the assembly to resemble aflower.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in a side elevational view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageousfeatures of the present invention, but, as will be described below, theinvention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations offeatures and components, and varying numbers and functions of thecomponents. The first example of a self-exploration therapeutic assembly100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a base 102. Coupled to the base 102 isa plurality of layers/petals 104 a-n, where the number of layers/petalsbetween “a” and “n” can be any number. Each layer/petal 104 a-n isshaped so that when the plurality of layers/petals 104 a-n are coupledto the base 102 in a first orientation, the first orientation beingillustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of layers/petals 104 a-n togetherresemble an onion.

The following figures will be described in conjunction with the processflow chart of FIG. 8. The process of FIG. 8 begins at step 800 and movesdirectly to step 802, where a user removes a first layer/petal 104 afrom the base 102. This step is illustrated in FIG. 2, where the firstlayer/petal 104 a is separated from the base 102.

One embodiment of the base 102 is shown in the perspective view of FIG.3, where the base 102 is shown provided with a plurality of receivingareas 302 a-n on an upper surface 301, where the number of receivingareas 302 between “a” and “n” can be any number. In this embodiment, thereceiving areas 302 a-n are shown as simple slots formed within the base102 and each receiving area 302 a-n is shaped to accept a portion 406,shown in FIG. 4, of one of the plurality of layers/petals 104 a-n. Thereceiving areas 302 a-n are not limited, however, to slots. Thereceiving areas 302 a-n can be raised areas that insert within recessedareas of the layers/petals 104 a-n. The receiving areas 302 a-n can alsobe structures that are neither raised nor recessed, for instance,magnets that magnetically receive and hold magnets of opposite polarityon the layers/petals 104 a-n, VELCRO, and any other. The base 102 isalso shown as including a plurality of receiving areas 304 a-n on a sidesurface 303, where the number of receiving areas 304 between “a” and “n”can be any number. The receiving areas 302 a-n on the upper surface 301and the receiving areas 304 a-n on the side surface 303 face indifferent directions. That is, the receiving areas 302 a-n on the uppersurface 301 can be thought of as having a longitudinal axis that isalong the direction in which its corresponding petal 104 a-n wouldattach to the receiving area 302 a-n. Similarly, the receiving areas 304a-n on the side surface 303 can be thought of as having a longitudinalaxis that is along the direction in which its corresponding petal 104a-n would attach to the receiving area 304 a-n. As will be described andshown, particularly, in FIG. 7, the longitudinal axis of the receivingareas 302 a-n on the upper surface 301 are in a different plane than thelongitudinal axis of the receiving areas 304 a-n on the side surface303.

In step 804, the user reads a message 402, an example of which is shownin FIG. 4, that is provided on a first side 404 of the removedlayer/petal 104 a. The message can be anything, including pictures,symbols, and text that causes the user to think or ponder some thought,concept, question, memory, or the like. For example, the message can bestories, questions, prayers, metaphors, poems, exercises, thoughts, oranything else that causes a user to engage in thought and, preferably,some sort of self-exploration. As a more detailed example, the messagecould be “think back to something you did that made you feel proud,”“think back to something you accomplished that made you feelsuccessful,” “do something today that causes someone to say ‘thanks’,”“do something today that you can tell someone about and feel proud,” andmany others. Messages that invoke episodes of self-exploration, as usedherein, can include, among many others, messages that invoke thoughtsabout self-centeredness, self-deception, self-esteem, self-examination,selfishness, self-pity, self-respect, self-restraint, self-support, andself-will, self-worth, just to name a few. Most messages can begeneralized in categories that fit into groups that make a user feel orthink of things that make them feel mad, sad, glad, lonely, angry, andhurt.

The message 402 can be printed directly on the petal 104 a, printed on apiece of paper coupled to the layer/petal 104 a, printed on an objectcoupled to the petal 104 a, or any other way of attaching a message tothe layer/petal 104 a. The message can be printed on the petal 104 a bythe individual undergoing self-exploration during use of the assembly100 to conduct self-exploration with, for example, a pen, marker,pencil, or other writing utensil. In accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention, the petal 104 a is provided with an electronicdisplay, such as an LCD screen, for example, that is able to display amessage to the user. In accordance with another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, a central display 502 is provided and the removal of one or moreof the layers/petals 104 a-n causes a message 504 to be displayed on thecentral display 502. The central display can be, for example, an LCDscreen on the base 102. In this embodiment, a central processor coupledto a memory can provide a virtually unlimited number of messages 504 onthe display 502 by following a computer program. Messages stored withinthe memory can be updated by connection to a computer or computernetwork, from which new messages can by downloaded. Each one of theplurality of receiving areas 302 a-n can be provided with a switch thatis coupled to the processor and causes the processor to display amessage 504 on the display 502 in response to one of the layers/petals104 a-n being removed from its respective one of the plurality ofreceiving areas 302 a-n.

In step 806, the petal 104 a is once again coupled to the base 102, thistime, in a second orientation that is different from the firstorientation shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the layer/petal 104 ais coupled to one of the plurality of receiving areas 304 a-n on theside surface 303. The layers/petals 104 a-n can also be coupled in thesecond orientation to one of the receiving areas 302 a-n on the uppersurface 301. This process is repeated with a different one of thelayers/petals 104 a-n during one session or in multiple therapysessions. By removing each layer/petal 104 and replacing it in the base102, eventually, the self-exploration therapeutic assembly 100 will nolonger resemble the onion shape of FIG. 1 and will, instead, resemble aflower shape 700, such as that shown in FIG. 7. The term “flower shape,”as used herein, is intended to indicate any object with petal-shapedfeatures, where one petal-shaped feature has a dimension that extends inat least one direction different from a direction of a correspondingdimension of an adjacent petal-shaped feature. One such shape is shownin FIG. 7. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited,however, to any specific flower shape. The term “onion shape,” as usedherein, is intended to indicate an object with a bulbous and somewhatsmooth shape. One such shape is shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted thatthe present invention is not limited, however, to any specific onionshape.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the flowershape 700 is formed by coupling a first group of the plurality oflayers/petals 104 a-n to the first group of the plurality of receivingareas 302 a-n on the upper surface 301 of the base 102 and coupling asecond group of the plurality of layers/petals 302 a-n to the secondgroup of the plurality of receiving areas 304 a-n on the side surface303 of the base 102.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, eachlayer/petal 104 a-n is rotated substantially 180 degrees from itsoriginal orientation, which is shown in FIG. 1. This rotation caninclude the petal 104 a-n being turned upside down, being turneddirectly around to face the opposite direction, or both. In addition, inaccordance with one embodiment, each layer/petal 104 a-n is deformableso that its orientation is changed simply by substantially turning thelayer/petal 104 inside out. In other words, the bulging center portionof the layer/petal 104 is pushed through the layer/petal 104 until itbulges out in the opposite direction. In yet another embodiment, thelayer/petal 104 is provided with a hinged connection at the junctionbetween the layer/petal 104 and the base. In this embodiment, the changeof orientation from onion shape to flower shape includes a simply arotation of the hinged connection from a first orientation to a secondorientation. In yet another embodiment, the change from a firstorientation to a second orientation is a simple deformation of thepliable bendable layer/petal 104.

As the process carries on, and the user: (1) continues to removelayers/petals 104 a-n from the base 102, (2) reads the messages and, insome cases, (3) carries out the exercises indicated by the messages, theflower shape 700 begins to form, and the user will (4) feel a sense ofaccomplishment. This accomplishment, unlike the therapies of the priorart, is substantiated by physical evidence of progress along the user'sjourney into self-discovery.

Looking again to FIG. 8, after the user replaces the layer/petal 104 inthe base 102 in the second orientation, the flow moves to step 808 whereit is determined whether or not all of the layers/petals 104 a-n havebeen removed and replaced in the new orientation. If the answer is yes,the exercise is complete and the process moves to step 812, where itstops. If the answer to step 808 is no, the process moves to step 810where a determination is made as whether or not the user wishes tocontinue with the therapy session. If the answer is yes, the processmoves back up to step 802, where another layer/petal 104 is removed andprocess starts over. If, however, the answer to step 810 is no, theexercise is complete and the process moves directly to step 812 andstops.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the messagesare in the form of paper removably coupled to one of the layers/petal104. Once the user reads the piece of paper, the user places the paperin an inventive “wish box” that is provided to accompany the inventiveself-exploration therapeutic assembly 100. The wish box is any containerthat can receive and contain the completed messages. Advantageously, theuser can later open the wish box and re-experience the messages, cansend them to a processing station that exchange them with new messages,can trade them with a friend, or many other options. In addition to theflower shape of the self-exploration therapeutic assembly 100, thefilled wish box represents an accomplishment achieved by the user, i.e.,completion of the self-exploration therapeutic assembly 100.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a self-exploration therapeutic assembly 900includes a base 902. Coupled to the base 902 is a plurality oflayers/petals 904 a-n, where the number of layers/petals between “a” and“n” can be any number. Each layer/petal 904 a-n is shaped so that whenthe plurality of layers/petals 904 a-n are coupled to the base 902 in afirst orientation, the first orientation being illustrated in FIG. 9,the plurality of layers/petals 904 a-n together resemble an onion.Inside the onion-shaped self-exploration therapeutic assembly 900 is amessage 908, illustrated with hidden lines.

As was explained above, a user 906 is able to reorient each of thepetals 904 a-n to reveal a plurality of the messages 908. FIG. 9 showsthat petal 904 a has at least three orientations, 904 a 1, 904 a 2, and904 a 3. In this embodiment, the second 904 a 2 and third 904 a 3orientations are simply a distortion of the petal from its originalonion-resembling starting position 904 a 1.

FIG. 10 provides a side elevational view of the self-explorationtherapeutic assembly of FIG. 9 with the first petal 904 a moved to aopen orientation to expose the previously-concealed message 908, inaccordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the message908 is shown as being printed on a tangible medium, i.e., piece of paperthat can be removed from the assembly 900 and read by the user. Becausethe message is on a tangible medium, the user 906 can keep the message,review it multiple times, save it, include it in a collection, share it,or many other uses. In one embodiment, the user can display the messageon his/her social networking site, for example, as the user's “status.”Once shared, other users can also enjoy the message, comment on it, orshare it with their friends.

Although a physical model has been shown and described herein, thepresent invention can be equally embodied in a virtual model, such asone generated by a processor processing computer code and represented ona computer display. In a computer-generated embodiment, the user canremove a petal from a base by, for example, touching the petal on atouch-sensitive display screen. The computer code can then turn thepetal and couple it to the base in a second orientation and then show amessage to the user. Through the implementation of software, thepossibility of displaying messages is greatly expanded, as virtually anysize message in any format can be displayed through the combination ofcomputer code and the display. In addition, new messages can be receivedat any time through software downloads via computer readable medium ornetwork connections, such as the internet.

An assembly for facilitating self-exploration therapy has been disclosedthat encourages a user to systematically follow a path of exploration byremoving layers of an onion and replacing them in a slightly differentorientation to reveal petals of a flower.

It is anticipated that various modifications, structural changes, and/orprocess step deviations may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. For example, although the exemplary embodiments describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 through 12 are primarily directed to anonion shape and a flower shape, it is understood that other shapes canbe implemented provided that a first shape resulting from a firstorientation of the layers 104 is different from a second shape resultingfrom a second orientation of the layers 104. The first and second shapesare preferably therapeutically symbolic shapes. The first shape can beconsidered a closed, compact, collapsed and/or folded configuration ofthe self-exploration therapeutic assembly 100. The second shape can beconsidered an open, expanded, and/or unfolded configuration of thesell-exploration therapeutic assembly 100. Although the exemplaryembodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 through 12 present a bulbous shape asthe first shape, it is understood that other first shapes may beimplemented, such as, for example, a circle, a cube, a cylindrical body,a dome, an elliptical shape, a polygon, a prism, a pyramid, a triangle,a rectangle, and the like. Accordingly, the second shape resembles anopen, expanded, and/or unfolded configuration of the first shape. Forexample, if the first shape is a cube, the second shape may be an openconfiguration in which the cube sidewalls are folded outwardly. In thismanner, the second shape may be considered to be dependent upon orderived from the first shape.

In another embodiment, the plurality of layers 104 may form an enclosureor covering in a first orientation. This enclosure or covering canresemble an onion, or any other compact shape. When the plurality oflayers 104 are moved into a second, open orientation, a second body maybe revealed. The second body may be separate from the plurality oflayers 104, the second body being housed within the enclosure orcovering resulting from the plurality of layers 104 in the firstorientation. The second body may be any shape. The second bodypreferably resembles a therapeutically significant shape or represents atherapeutically significant goal or message. For example, the secondbody can resemble a flower or other shape that symbolizes a desiredtherapeutic milestone. In this manner, physical manipulation of theplurality of layers 104 can assist with self-improvement andself-exploration of an individual in a meaningful way resulting in apositive and encouraging symbol or improvement and progression.

Although the exemplary embodiments described above with reference toFIGS. 1 through 12 present the layers 104 as resembling onion skin inthe first orientation and flower petals in the second orientation, it isunderstood that the layers 104 may resemble other objects and shapes aswell. The configuration of each of the plurality of layers 104 willdepend on the desired first shape and the chosen segmentation of thefirst shape. For example, if the first shape is a cube, as describedabove, the layers may be segmented into a plurality of cube sidewalls.If the first shape is a pyramid, the layers may be segmented into aplurality of triangular panels. In another exemplary embodiment, theplurality of layers 104 can be a moveable membrane, i.e. any thin,pliable sheet or layer of material.

Although FIGS. 1 through 12 depict the plurality of layers 104 coupledto a circular shaped base 102, it is understood that the base may be anysize, shape, or configuration, such as, for example, a square orrectangular shape. The plurality of layers 104 may also be coupled toone another, rather than a separate base element. For example, each ofthe plurality of layers 104 may be coupled to one another at a bottomend of the layers 104, such that a top free end of the layer 104 may bemoved from the first orientation into the second orientation, such as,for example, by moving the layer 104 from an upright orientationoutwardly into a horizontal orientation.

Each of the plurality of layers 104 may be comprised of variousmaterials and exhibit various material properties. For example, thelayers 104 may be rigid, flexible, living (e.g. live flower petal, asopposed to an artificial flower petal), artificial, resilient, and/orpliable. The layers 104 may be comprised of any material, such as, forexample, a polymer material or paper, or the layers 104 may be a digitalrepresentation of a real-world object, as described above with referenceto the computer-generated embodiment. In an embodiment where the messageis printed on the layer 104 by the individual undergoingself-exploration, the layer 104 may be made of a writable material, i.e.a material that can be easily written on by common writing utensils,such as for example, a pen or a marker. The writable material may becomprised of a polymer or polymer-blend capable of receiving andretaining ink on its surface, without easily smudging. The writablematerial may further provide eraseability of the hand-written message.The layers 104 may be thin, thick, curved, rectilinear, planar, bulging,or any other configuration, provided that it is a segment or section ofthe self-exploration therapeutic assembly 100 that resembles a firstshape when positioned in a first orientation with respect to theassembly 100.

Each of the plurality of layers 104 may be coupled to the base 102 (oreach other) in a multitude of ways. For example, the layers 104 may becoupled to the base 102 by a hinge connection, tongue and groove, snapfit, fastener, hook and loop attachment, frictional engagement,adhesive, clip, clamp, hook, slot, tie, or the like.

Manipulation of the layers 104 from the first orientation of the layers104 into the second orientation of the layers 104 may occur in amultitude of ways. The manipulation of the layers 104 is preferablyperformed manually, i.e. by hand, by the individual undergoing therapy.This manual manipulation can include the individual gripping the layer104 with his or her fingers and manually moving the layer 104 from thefirst orientation to the second orientation, such as, for example, byremoving a coupled layer 104 from the base 102 in the first orientationand re-coupling the layer 104 to the base 102 in the second orientation.It is understood that movement of the layers 104 from the first to thesecond orientation may occur by other methods, such as, for example,electronic computer commands in the computer-generated embodiment, orenvironmental manipulation in the form of heat directed toward thelayers, which results in movement of the layers 104 into the secondorientation. In another example, a chemical composition can be appliedto the layers 104 resulting in movement from the first orientation tothe second orientation. The layers 104 may be removed or uncoupled fromthe base 102 at the first orientation and repositioned and recoupled tothe base 102 in the second orientation. In one embodiment, the layers104 may be slideably removed from the base 102. In another embodiment,the layers 104 may be forcibly pulled out of the receiving area 302 thatis frictionally retaining the layer 104. In yet other embodiments, thelayers 104 may be unclipped, unclamped, unfastened, or untied from thebase 102 and subsequently repositioned and recoupled to the base 102 ina respective like manner in the second orientation. In yet anotherembodiment, the layers 104 may be pivotally coupled to the base 102,such that the orientation can be changed by pivotally rotating thelayers 104 from the first orientation to the second orientation.

The devices and methods used in the present invention are preferably forassisting individuals in therapy, such as, for example, therapies toovercome addiction, depression, eating disorders, developmentaldisorders, behavioral disorders, and the like. The present invention mayalso be used for assisting individuals in general self-improvement,self-discovery, and personal or professional growth. For example, thepresent invention can be used as a creative tool for children, or acareer development tool for corporate professionals.

Although a three-dimensional therapeutic object has been shown anddescribed herein, the present invention can also be embodied in the formof a book, particularly, either a therapeutic workbook or a pop-up book.In the workbook embodiment, the process of self-exploration describedabove with reference to the three-dimensional therapeutic assembly 100can be implemented on the pages of a book. For example, the first pageof the workbook can include an image resembling an onion shape, formedof a plurality of layers coupled to a base. The second page can includean image resembling one layer peeled outward. A user can write a messageon the peeled layer depicted on that page in the workbook. There canalso be an area on the page to allow the user to write about the messagefor further reflection and exploration. The third page can include yetanother image resembling a second layer peeled outward. The second pageis similar to the third page, and each subsequent page, except that theimage in each subsequent page includes an additional peeled layer. Thelast page in the workbook includes an image of each of the plurality oflayers peeled outward so as to resemble a flower shape. This last pagecan include a perforated edge to allow the user to remove the last pagein order to frame, or otherwise capture the flower shape image, as areminder of new skills and behaviors learned from use of the therapeutictool. Similarly, the present invention can be embodied in the form of apop-up book. In the pop-up book embodiment, the onion shaped image fromthe first page (or the flower shaped image of the last page) may be athree-dimensional pop-up structure, rather than a two-dimensional image.As is known in the art, the pop-up structure is configured to unfold andopen into a three-dimensional structure formed from the page when thepop-up page is opened. When the pop-up page is closed, thethree-dimensional structure is folded inward and becomes flattened.

The present invention provides a novel device and method that allowsindividuals to explore areas of self-development by manipulating layersin one orientation, forming a first therapeutically symbolic shape, toanother orientation, resulting in a second therapeutically symbolicshape, wherein the first shape includes a negative association (e.g.onion), representing a hardship or challenge, and the second shapeincludes a positive association (e.g. flower), representing a milestoneor triumph.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-exploration assembly comprising: a base; aplurality of layers, each coupled to the base and shaped so that whenthe plurality of layers are in a first orientation, the plurality oflayers together are in a closed configuration resembling a firstrecognizable shape, and, when the plurality of layers are in a secondorientation, the plurality of layers are in an open configurationresembling a second recognizable shape, the layers being manuallytransitionable from the first orientation to the second orientation. 2.The self-exploration assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the firstorientation is substantially between a 90 degree and a 180 degreerotation from the second orientation.
 3. The self-exploration assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of layers iscomprised of an ink-receivable material.
 4. The self-explorationassembly according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a pluralityof receiving areas, each receiving area shaped to accept a portion ofone of the plurality of layers.
 5. The self-exploration assemblyaccording to claim 4, wherein the base comprises: an upper surfacehaving a first group of the plurality of receiving areas; and a sidesurface having a second group of the plurality of receiving areas. 6.The self-exploration assembly according to claim 5, wherein the secondorientation comprises: a first group of the plurality of layers coupledto the first group of the plurality of receiving areas; and a secondgroup of the plurality of layers coupled to the second group of theplurality of receiving areas.
 7. The self-exploration assembly accordingto claim 4, wherein: a first one of the receiving areas defines a firstlongitudinal axis; and a second one of the receiving areas defines asecond longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being in adifferent plane than the first longitudinal axis.
 8. Theself-exploration assembly according to claim 1, wherein: each of theplurality of layers has a first shape when in the first orientation anda second shape different from the first shape when in the secondorientation.
 9. The self-exploration assembly according to claim 1,wherein the first shape is a bulbous shape and the second shape is aflower shape.
 10. The self-exploration assembly according to claim 1,wherein the first shape is an onion shape and the second shape is aflower shape.
 11. A self-exploration assembly comprising: a base; and aplurality of movable membranes coupled to the base, each movablemembrane shaped so that when the plurality of movable membranes arecoupled to the base in a first orientation, the plurality of movablemembranes together resemble a bulbous shape, and, when the plurality ofmovable membranes are coupled to the base in a second orientation, theplurality of movable membranes resemble a flower shape; and wherein atransition from the first orientation to the second orientation is onemovable membrane at a time.
 12. The self-exploration assembly accordingto claim 11, wherein: the first orientation is substantially between a90 degree and a 180 degree rotation from the second orientation.
 13. Theself-exploration assembly according to claim 11, wherein each of theplurality of movable membranes is comprised of a writable material. 14.The self-exploration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the basecomprises: a plurality of receiving areas, each receiving area shaped toaccept a portion of one of the plurality of movable membranes.
 15. Theself-exploration assembly according to claim 14, wherein the basecomprises: an upper surface having a first group of the plurality ofreceiving areas; and a side surface having a second group of theplurality of receiving areas; and wherein a first group of the pluralityof movable membranes is coupled to the first group of the plurality ofreceiving areas and a second group of the plurality of movable membranesis coupled to the second group of the plurality of receiving areas. 16.A method of conducting self-discovery, the method comprising steps of:providing an assembly comprising: a base; and a plurality of movablemembranes coupled to the base, each movable membrane shaped so that whenthe plurality of movable membranes are coupled to the base in a firstorientation, the plurality of movable membranes together resemble abulbous shape, and, when the plurality of movable membranes are coupledto the base in a second orientation, the plurality of movable membranesresemble a flower shape; and manually moving a first one of theplurality of movable membranes from the first orientation to the secondorientation one movable membrane at a time.
 17. The method of conductingself-discovery according to claim 16, wherein the step of manuallymoving further comprises the steps of: selectively removing the firstone of the plurality of movable membranes from the base; and couplingthe first one of the plurality of movable membranes to the base in thesecond orientation.
 18. The method of conducting self-discoveryaccording to claim 17, wherein the step of manually moving furthercomprises the step of rotating the first one of the plurality of movablemembranes from the first orientation to the second orientation.
 19. Themethod of conducting self-discovery according to claim 16, wherein eachof the plurality of movable membranes is formed of a material configuredto be written on with ink.
 20. The method of conducting self-discoveryaccording to claim 16, further comprising the step of writing a messageon a first side of the first one of the plurality of movable membranes.